The following is the Feb. 29, 2016 Medal of Honor award ceremony for Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. who won the award during actions he took in a hostage rescue in 2012. Read More
Category Archives: Special Operations Forces
Video: Medal of Honor SEAL Byers Tells His Story
The following is a Feb. 26, 2016 U.S. Navy video of Chief Special Warfare Operator (SEAL) Edward C. Byers Jr. describing the actions that led to his recommendation for the Medal of Honor — to be presented to Byers by President Obama on Feb. 29. Read More
WEST: U.S. Navy Ditching BlackBerry for iPhones, Androids
US Navy Photo
SAN DIEGO — In the Navy, the BlackBerry is about to go the way of sound-powered phones and signalmen.
The ubiquitous handheld device is being phased out by Space and Naval Warfare Systems Command for thousands of Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI) users by the end of April. Read More
WEST: Former NATO Commander Stavridis Says Integrating Women Into Special Operations Might Not Be a Big Deal
Pfc. Christina Fuentes Montenegro prepares to hike to her platoon’s defensive position during patrol week of Infantry Training Battalion near Camp Geiger, N.C. on Oct. 31, 2013. US Marine Corps Photo
SAN DIEGO — When asked for his thoughts about the pending integration of women into the military’s male-only special operations forces, retired Adm. James G. Stavridis thought back a generation. Read More
Document: Report to Congress on Women in Combat
The following is the Dec. 3, 2015 Congressional Research Service report, Women in Combat: Issues for Congress. Read More
SECDEF Carter: All Military Specialties Will Be Open To Women, Marine Objections Overruled
Pfc. Christina Fuentes Montenegro prepares to hike to her platoon’s defensive position during patrol week of Infantry Training Battalion near Camp Geiger, N.C. on Oct. 31, 2013. US Marine Corps Photo
All military occupational specialties in all four services — including infantry and special operations forces — will be available to women beginning next month, Defense Secretary Ash Carter announced today. Read More
Document: Report to Congress on U.S. Special Operations Forces
The following is the Nov. 19, 2015 Congressional Research Service report, U.S. Special Operations Forces (SOF): Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
Document: Report to Congress on Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations
Riverine Command Boat (RCB) 805, assigned to Commander, Task Group (CTG) 56.7, transits through the Persian Gulf during patrol operations on Nov. 2, 2015. US Navy Photo
The following is the Nov. 6, 2015 Congressional Research Service report, Navy Irregular Warfare and Counterterrorism Operations: Background and Issues for Congress. Read More
New U.K. Defense Plan: Britain Plans to Buy P-8 Poseidons, Commits to F-35 Procurement
A P-8A Poseidon aircraft departs Boeing Field in Seattle for Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla. on Nov. 20, 2014. US Navy Photo
CORRECTION: A previous version of this post stated the incorrect number of planned Type 26 frigates for the Royal Navy. The U.K. anticipates building eight of the new ship class, not five.
LONDON — Five years after a cash-strapped Great Britain retired the last of its Hawker Siddeley Nimrod MR2 maritime patrol aircraft from frontline duty, Prime Minister David Cameron on Monday announced a belated replacement for the vital capability—in the shape of nine Boeing P-8 Poseidon aircraft. Read More
Essay: Russia’s Military Role in Syria
Screen grab from Syrian State Television
The deployment of a major Russian expeditionary force to Syria in late September resulted in a flurry of public attention and heated rumors. Read More
